Addiction and Substance Abuse Counseling Certificate

COUN5233

Alcohol and Drug Addiction

The foundation of the study of addiction counseling requires the understanding of human behavior and how it applies to addiction and elements of substance abuse. This course presents a comprehensive framework of the history and development of addiction. Students will identify factors impacting addiction, including socialization, which increases the likelihood of a person, community , or group to be at risk for or resilient to psychoactive substance use disorder. The evolution of the roles and settings of the addiction counselor, along with the ethical and legal issues involved in addiction and substance counseling, will be considered.

COUN5333

Addiction in the Family and Assessment Theory

Counselors, working with individuals and families involving addiction, require a comprehensive understanding of the theories of addiction, assessment and diagnosis, treatment setting and planning, and the etiological theories of substance abuse. Students will study the major theories and methods currently employed in the assessment and treatment of substance abuse and addiction. An emphasis is placed on the evaluation of substance abuse patterns and the assessment of various treatment alternatives. The social aspects of family risks resiliencies will be extensively studied incorporating racial, ethnic, and cultural issues. Foundations for culturally and developmentally relevant education programs that raise awareness, support addiction and substance abuse prevention, and enhance the recovery process will be developed incorporating gender and sexual orientation differences, mutual-help groups, and public policy. Students will learn to develop treatment plans using the procedures a counselor or program practices to identify and evaluate individuals’ strengths, weaknesses, problems, spiritual and other biopsychosocial factors and needs.

COUN5433

Addiction in the Family Counseling

A major focus of this course is for students to learn to skillfully perform addiction and substance abuse counseling including the adaptation of individual, group, marital, and family treatment techniques. An emphasis will be given to the acquisition of competencies for students to apply stregth-based therapeutic strategies and interventions incorporating an understanding of biology and addiction across the life span with the treatment of eating disorders, gambling, shopping, sex, other behavioral addictions, and co-occurring mental disorders or disabilities. Additionally, strategies for prevention, retaining sobriety, and relapse prevention of addiction and substance abuse will be acquired for working with individuals and families. Students will study processes for addressing the treatment issues and characteristics of diverse racial, ethnic, and cultural populations as well as the social aspects of addiction which includes: Family risks and resiliencies, gender distinctions, and sexual orientation differences.

COUN5533

Pharmacology of Drugs of Abuse

The counselor who treats addiction and substance requires a strong foundational knowledge of the nature of drugs of abuse and their impact. This course focuses on basic behavioral pharmacology; the behavioral analysis of drug effects; tolerance and conditioning of drug effects; the nervous system and neurological functioning as it relates to psychological disorders, the effects of medications and other substances on hte individual’s cognitive, social, emotional, and behavioral functioning; and characteristics of dependence and addiction. Students will examine the pharmacokinetics of drug action(s), the side effects of psychoactive and psychotherapeutic drugs, the development of tolerance, the development of dependency and issues regarding withdrawal, and cross addiction(s). Additional study will include: The self-administration of drugs, alcohol and its effects, tranquilizers and sedative hypnotics, inhaled substances, tobacco and nicotine, caffeine and methylxanthines, psychomotor stimulants, the opiates, antipsychotic drugs, antidepressants and mood stabilizers, cannabis, and hallucinogens.

COUN5643

Addiction and Substance Abuse Counseling Theory and Techniques

The application of theories and techniques of counseling with a special emphasis on models/methods of alcohol and substance abuse/addiction/dependency counseling is important for the addiction and professional counselor. The current treatment research, and application of theoretical models, and the successful methods in the treatment process of addiction and substance abuse will be extensively examined. Understanding the causes, social implications, treatment (including the principles and philosophies of self-help), cultural competency and prevention methods and skills will be extensively studied.

COUN6973

Practicum

Supervised clinical experience and practice in counseling fieldwork in the Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Addictions and Substance Abuse Counseling, or Martial, Couples, and Family Therapy (depending on the student’s degree emphasis) as approved by the School Chair. The Practicum will total a minimum of 100 hours of over a minimum of a 10-week period.

COUN6983

Internship

Advanced supervised clinical experience and practice in counseling fieldwork in the Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Addictions and Substance Abuse Counseling, or Martial, Couples, and Family Therapy (depending on the student’s degree emphasis) as approved by the School Chair. The Internship will total a minimum of 600 hours of service. Minimum totals can be increased to accommodate various state practicum requirements for online students.